MAGAZINE OF ST MARK S, DUNDELA MARCH

Transcription

1 The Lion MAGAZINE OF ST MARK S, DUNDELA MARCH 2018

2 St Mark s Church Parish of Dundela Diocese of Down and Dromore Church of Ireland Anglican Communion St Mark s Church, Dundela PARISH OFFICE: Heyn Hall, 2 Sydenham Avenue, Belfast, BT4 2DR T: E: office.dundela@down.anglican.org Office Hours: Monday Wednesday Friday 9.00 a.m. 12noon RECTOR: Revd Helene T. Steed St Mark s Rectory, 4 Sydenham Avenue, Belfast, BT4 2DR T: , M: dundela@down.anglican.org CURATE: Revd Chris St John HON. ASSISTANT PRIEST: Revd Ivan Betts T: EMERITUS DIOCESAN READER: Miss Joan Frame T: M: curate.dundela@down.anglican.org ORGANIST & CHOIRMASTER: Vacant (contact at Parish Office) PARISH ADMINISTRATOR: Mrs Linda Nicholson (contact at Parish Office) SEXTON: Mr Richard Lyons (contact at Parish Office) HONORARY SECRETARY: Mrs Eileen Anghel T: HONORARY TREASURER: Mr Peter S. F. Bayliss T: RECTOR S CHURCHWARDEN: Mrs Joan Eakin T: PEOPLE S CHURCHWARDEN: Mrs Angela Kerr T: RECTOR S GLEBEWARDEN: Mr Richard Acheson (contact at Parish Office) PEOPLE S GLEBEWARDEN: Ms Laura Hillis T: HONORARY VERGER: Mr Harry Whiteside T: FWO RECORDER: Mr Max Livingstone T: GIFT AID SECRETARY: Contact Parish Office BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP: Miss Christine Johnston T: SAFEGUARDING TRUST PARISH PANEL Revd H. T. Steed, T: , Mrs L. Donaldson, T: , Mr M. Newman, T:

3 From the Rector Dear Parishioners, Look in the mirror at yourself and what do you see? I hope you see someone that smiles back at you. However, from a more objective perspective, you see yourself a fraction of a second younger than you are. This has to do with the finite speed of light. You do not see the true, present you. To be alive, is to go beyond the person, the me, in the mirror and to live in the now. Lent is about living in the now. Not the past, not the future, but now. Lent is 40 days and nights of self-denial, losing ourselves and finding ourselves. To lose oneself is not death, it is to come alive. Just like the bulb, planted in the autumn and that flowers at springtime. The process of flourishing and coming to life can be enhanced by the three Lenten symbols: fasting (involves some bodily denial); almsgiving (being generous with what we have and willing to share it); and prayer (spending time in silence and in the presence of the Almighty). These three actions have in common that they make us better people, more human. The discipline of self-denial is indeed, an un-escapable part of our Christian faith and being a disciple. Jesus said: If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their soul? Or what will they give in return for their soul? (Matthew 16:24-26) Last month, I wrote about some additional Lenten practices (listed below) that can make us a better, more Christian people. So, in addition to fasting, almsgiving and prayer, we, can as part of our Lenten self-discipline and self-restraint focus on and address our negative behaviour. Instead, it is all about encouraging others and to treat all those whom we meet with respect and courtesy. That is a guiding principle in our faith and Church.

4 Disrespect for others, who like ourselves are created in the image of God, can never be tolerated. The Bible teaches us so. During Lent and Holy Week, we have yet again an opportunity to look at ourselves and our lives. To live in the present, improve ourselves and indeed look after our souls. May God bless you during this Holy Season. Give up complaining focus on gratitude (Phil 2:14-15, 1 Thess 5:18) Give up bitterness turn to forgiveness (Eph 4:31-32) Give up worry - trust in God (Matt 6:25,33) Give up discouragement be full of hope (Deut 31:8, Is 40:31) Give up hatred return good for evil (1 John 2:9, Luke 6:27) Give up anger be more patient (Matt 5:22, Prov 15:18) Give up gossiping control your tongue (Ps 34:1, Prov 21:23) Articles for the April edition of The Lion Magazine should be with the Parish office by Wednesday 14 th of March ld be with the Parish Office by Wednesday 18ctober

5 Calendar of Worship March 2018 Sunday 4 th of March: The Third Sunday of Lent 8.30am Holy Communion 10.30am Family Service Thinking Day together with the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides the Singing club participates followed by tea and coffee in the Heyn Hall 6.30pm Holy Communion and Ministry of Healing Wednesday 7 st of March a.m. Holy Communion 7.30 p.m. Lenten service. Theme: Eating with sinners Sunday 11 th of March: The Fourth Sunday of Lent: Mothering Sunday 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion 9.30 a.m. Contemporary Service in the Heyn Hall a.m. Morning Prayer 6.30 p.m. Holy Communion and Ministry of Healing Wednesday 14 th of March a.m. Holy Communion 7.30 p.m. Lenten service. Theme: Washing feet Sunday 18 th of March: Third Sunday of Lent 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion 9.30 a.m. Contemporary Service in the Heyn Hall a.m. Parish Communion 6.30 p.m. Evensong Wednesday 21 st of March a.m. Holy Communion 7.30 p.m. Lenten service. Theme: Pray for another way Sunday 25 th of March: Palm Sunday 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion 9.30 a.m. Contemporary Service in the Heyn Hall a.m. Morning Service: Reading the passion The St Mark s Players participate 6.30 p.m. Compline

6 Monday 26 th of March: Monday in Holy Week 7.30 p.m. Holy Week Service Tuesday 27 th March: Tuesday in Holy Week 7.30 p.m. Holy Week Service Wednesday 28 th of March: Wednesday in Holy Week a.m. Holy Communion 7.30 p.m. Holy Week Service Thursday 29 th of March: Maundy Thursday a.m. Holy Communion 7.30 p.m. Solemn Eucharist of the Last Supper followed by Stripping of the Altar Friday 30 th of March: Good Friday 12noon-3.00 p.m. The Three Hours Devotion: 8.00 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy and Tenebrae Sunday 1 st of April: Easter Day 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion 10.30am Easter Family Communion Service At our a.m. service on Easter Sunday we celebrate Christ s resurrection with a sprouting cross, a cross with new life and full of flowers. The cross that was bare at our service on Good Friday has now new life. All parishioners are welcome to bring any flower to decorate the cross. It may be something from your garden or some other flower. As we arrive, the flowers will be attached to the cross which will be carried to the front during the procession and then standing there as a reminder that Jesus resurrection brings new life to us.

7 Floodlighting March 2018 Donations for church floodlighting gratefully received from: 4 th of March 2018 Mr & Mrs P Nelson, in loving memory of parents Harry Grindle and Billy and Pearl Nelson 11 th of March 2018 Browne family in memory of Annabel and Bill Flowers March 2018 Hannah Nelson Tel: Mr and Mrs George Hall 10 Castlehill Road 11 MOTHERING SUNDAY 18 Mr and Mrs R Donaldson 4 The Cairns In memory of our parents 25 PALM SUNDAY Easter Flowers Contributions towards the cost of the floral decorations in the church for Easter would be very much appreciated. Donations may be left in the plate provided at the baptistry.

8 From the Parish Registers H O L Y BAPTISMS 4 th of February 2018 Charlotte Sienna Donaldson 4 th of February 2018 Amelia Harriett Donaldson You have received the light of Christ; walk in this light all the days of your life. Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father C H R I S T I A N BURIAL Funeral was held for parishioner of St Mark s on: 5 th of February 2018 William James Gamble Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. (John 11:25-26) Prayer for the bereaved Give faith and comfort, O Lord, to all who are bereaved Strengthen them to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience, not sorrowing as those without hope, but in thankful remembrance of your mercy in the past, and waiting for a joyful reunion in heaven in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Collection Count Rota March 2018 To assist the counters could parishioners please write the amount on the collection envelopes. Thank you. Convenor: Don Kerr Counters: Lorna Symmons Heather Grindle David Ellis

9 Lent and Holy Week in St Mark s Jesus said: What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Mark 8:36 This Lent we are encouraged to focus on that invisible part of our being known as our soul. Jesus rhetorical question is penetrating and forces us to contemplate: how do we tend to our souls? Our soul is of greatest importance in how we relate to God and how we relate to each other. Our soul, like everything that is living, needs nurture and care. Daily, it needs to be attended to and built up. And hence we grow in faith. Lent, its 40 days and nights, provides an excellent opportunity for concentrated soul-care and soul-keeping. On Wednesdays in Lent we seek inspiration from what Jesus did and how his actions inspire us. Starting with his entry into Jerusalem, we follow what he did and how his approach can inspire us in our daily lives and benefit our souls. These faith explorations take place on Wednesdays in St Mark s Church. We gather in the choir stalls for an act of worship at a.m. (Holy Communion) and again at 7.30 p.m. (Lenten service). In addition, during three Wednesday evenings in Lent, (28 th of February, 14 th and 28 th of March), we have the opportunity to join the Study Group and deepen our exploration of what the soul is and how we can nurture it through the practice of grace, gratitude and growth. These sessions start at 8.00 p.m. and last for an hour, followed by refreshments. On Palm Sunday, (also known as Passion Sunday ), St Mark s Players will participate in the a.m. service, and they will dramatize the last few days of Jesus life. This year, the Passion Play follows the Gospel according to Mark. Do join us for this remarkable and poignant experience. During Holy Week we continue to nurture our souls through prayer, singing and silence. The week opens with three opportunities for Spiritual Singing Singing Spirituals. Singing, as a way of being closer to God, should never be underestimated. On the slave plantation of the New World, men, women and children sang Christian spirituals. Their singing, amid suffering

10 we cannot comprehend, brought them closer to God, one another and provided comfort. As we again walk with Christ on his Via Dolorosa, watching his suffering, we may grow in faith as we sing spirituals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 6.30 p.m. to 7.15 p.m. in the Church. At the 7.30 p.m. evening services during Holy Week, we focus on Judas, exploring his role and influence. On Maundy Thursday after participating in Holy Communion we watch with Christ in Gethsemane, as we pray in silence after the service. Good Friday offers several opportunities to contemplate the meaning of the cross. This is a three-hour devotion between 12 noon and 3.00 p.m. (worshippers can come and leave at anytime during the three hours), as well as an evening service at the foot of the cross. Be encouraged to prioritise your soul this Lent. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1 The Soul The essence of the human mind With body and spirit intertwined; Spirit which can compassion show And endurance undergo As it is held in God s embrace Fit for redemption through his grace. The soul will not rest beneath the sod But return to its creator God. Of our being it is the kernel To rise at death to life eternal. Joan Frame

11 Programme Wednesday 21 st of February Riding on a donkey Luke 19: a.m. Holy Communion 7.30 p.m. Lenten service Wednesday 28 th of February Overturning the money lenders table Matthew 21: a.m. Holy Communion 7.30 p.m. Lenten service 8.00 p.m. Study Group The practice of grace Wednesday 7 th of March Eating with sinners Matthew 26: a.m. Holy Communion 7.30 p.m. Lenten service Wednesday 14 th March Washing feet John 13: a.m. Holy Communion 7.30 p.m. Lenten service 8.00 p.m. Study Group The practice of gratitude Wednesday 21 st of March Pray for another way Matthew 26: a.m. Holy Communion 7.30 p.m. Lenten service

12 Sunday 25 th of March a.m. Reading the Passion according to St Mark Monday 26 th of March 6.30 p.m. Spiritual Singing Singing Spirituals 7.15 p.m. Silent Prayer 7.30 p.m. In the company of Judas 1 Tuesday 27 th of March 6.30 p.m. Spiritual Singing Singing Spirituals 7.15 p.m. Silent Prayer 7.30 p.m. In the company of Judas 2 Wednesday 28 th of March a.m. Holy Communion 6.30 p.m. Spiritual Singing Singing Spirituals 7.15 p.m. Silent Prayer 7.30 p.m. In the company of Judas p.m. Study Group The practice of growth Welcome! Lord Jesus Christ, Let your walking do our talking, and strengthen our souls by looking at the things you did, and may we do likewise. Amen. For more information, please contact the Rector.

13 The Select Vestry and parish officers Sir Anthony Hart In June last year, The Lion Magazine carried a helpful article by Mr Donald Kerr explaining the role the General Synod of the Church of Ireland and how it works. With the approach of the annual meeting of the Parish in the form of the General or Easter Vestry the Rector thought it might be helpful to give members of the parish a brief description of the roles and responsibilities of the Select Vestry and parish officers who take up office each year at the General Vestry meeting. The Select Vestry of St Mark s consists of the Rector, who chairs its meetings, the Curate (when we are fortunate enough to have one), not more than twelve members elected by registered members of the Parish (Vestrymen and women), two churchwardens and two glebewardens. One churchwarden and one glebewarden are elected at the General Vestry, whilst the Rector appoints the other churchwarden and glebewarden. The Select Vestry, at its first meeting, then elect from its members an honorary secretary and honorary treasurer. The Select Vestry is the governing body of the parish and as such has a number of responsibilities, the most important of which are the finances of the parish; the safeguarding, repair and upkeep of parish property; the employment and payment of parochial staff, and the provision of the requisites for Divine Service, such as the bread and wine for the celebration of Holy Communion. The Select Vestry of St Mark s usually meets every month, except for July and August. The churchwardens duties as defined by the Constitution of the Church of Ireland are to ensure (a) that the church, church hall and churchyard are not used for any common or profane purpose ; and (b) to ensure that during the time of Divine Service peace and order are maintained in the church, the church porch and churchyard during Divine Service, and to prevent any disturbance which may hinder the officiating member of the clergy or the congregation. By custom and practice the churchwardens are responsible for providing books of common prayer and hymnals,

14 orders of service and the church news to those who need them. They ask members of the congregation to take up the collection; ensure that communicants approach the communion rail in an orderly sequence and lead the clergy to members of the congregation who cannot make their way to the communion rail. When services are over they are responsible for ensuring that the valuables and collection are placed in the safe and the church securely locked. The Constitution also provides for the managements of the glebe which in rural parishes may include not just the rectory but any farm land attached thereto. In an urban parish such as St Mark s the glebe is the rectory and the rectory grounds. The Diocese appoints a diocesan glebes committee to manage the glebes of the diocese, and every five years this committee inspects the rectory and the rectory grounds. In practice, however, all matters relating to the day to day repair and maintenance of the fabric of the church and other parish buildings are dealt with in the first instance by the glebewardens in conjunction with the select vestry. Many of the functions and responsibilities of the Select Vestry and parish officers are laid out in detail in the Constitution of the Church of Ireland, others are custom and practice that have developed over many years. All have to be interpreted in a practical and common-sense fashion, and as J.L.B. Deane says in his invaluable Church of Ireland Handbook: The clergy, churchwardens, glebewardens, treasurer, secretary and select vestry are all working together for the same object. If they all remember that, both when they are meeting together as a select vestry and when they are each discharging their several functions, all will run smoothly. General Easter Vestry Meeting will be held on Tuesday 20 th March at 7.30 p.m. in the Heyn Hall All parishioners welcome.

15 Messy Church The first ever messy church was held on 10 th of February. Over twenty children and fifteen parents attend the Heyn Hall to the Love and pancake themed event. Craft activities included exploring the fall through jelly snakes before decorating hearts to show how Jesus stitched our hearts together. A pancake themed treasure hunt proved very popular with the children. The Children also enjoyed the Heyn cinema experience with popcorn. The ever popular Veggie tales shared with the children the importance of listening. Listening was important for the pancake flipping activity and cupids arrow. The kids created special Valentine cards cold hearted penguins and Ninja love turtles finished the day s activities. All messy churches finish with a family meal. As pancake Tuesday was rapidly approaching pancakes galore were available for dessert and ice cream and really wobbly jelly. This ensured the day finished messy as it had started. Everyone is already looking forward to Messy Easter. A really massive thank you to all our messy helpers and messy chefs who made such a wonderful day possible. Messy Easter Messy Easter will start at 2.00 p.m. on Saturday 31 st of March. This promises to be another eggscelent time. Egg decorating, egg hunting and lots of fun crafts. There will also be our themed Easter meal. Make sure your kids or grandchildren don t miss out. This is a great way to celebrate the forthcoming resurrection. If you fancy becoming a messy Volunteer please contact Revd Chris.

16 Confirmation Class The confirmation class is well underway as our teenagers prepare for their confirmation on 8 th of April. The participants are following the I believe confirmation resource prepared by the Church of Ireland Youth department. Topics covered have included: Who is God?, why we need a Saviour and Who is Jesus? Participants have also learnt practical skills, like what not to put in chocolate brownies and how to cook a frog. Everyone is looking forward to their confirmation and playing an active part in the youth fellowship. Walking Group Come and join us for our next walk on Saturday 3 rd of March! We meet at 1.30 p.m. at the Heyn Hall to travel in car share to Mossley where we will walk around the lake and visit the mill where we will have coffee together. Walk leader this month is Revd Chris St John. You ll be warmly welcomed, and the craic is always great! Forthcoming walks May (provisionally Saturday 5 th ) Loughgall, Co Armagh a walk around the lake in this lovely area during apple blossom season. Walk Leader Robert MacBride. June (provisionally Saturday 9 th ) a choice of two walks at the Causeway Coast followed by bring-and-share meal at the apartment of the walk leaders, Lynn and Michael Wilson. July a walk along the Newry Canal. Leader Lesley Donaldson. August a beach walk at Murlough. Leader Norman Meharry. As you can see, we have a varied programme and are always open to suggestions for new walks (or old favourites!). Further details from: Hannah Nelson Tel: Lynn Wilson Tel:

17 Study Group From Revd Chris St John The study group is now officially half way through the study series on Soul Keeping, by John Ortberg. Topics covered have included: What is the soul? the struggle for the soul, what the soul needs. Forthcoming sessions include: Session 4: the practice of grace, 28 th of February. Session 5: the practice of gratitude, 14 th of March Session 6: The practice of growth, 28 th of March All of these sessions involve video, talk and discussion. They are an excellent way to reflect over the period of lent as we look forward to Easter Morning. Don t worry if you have not been able to attend some or all the previous weeks. Each session does not assume any prior knowledge. Due to the ever-increasing numbers of participants we will hold the remaining sessions in the Parlour. Hopefully our numbers will continue to increase and someday we can move to the main hall! It is really encouraging to see so many people enjoying the course and growing in their faith. All sessions end with a cup of tea or coffee and an opportunity for chat. Hope to see you there.

18 Men s Group From Revd Chris In February the Men s group enjoyed a very informative presentation by local architect Johnny Baird. Mr Baird outlined the qualification process for architects and the various factors they needed to consider in the design and planning process. He spoke at length of his involvement in conservation using examples of the Maze prison and the Crumlin Road Goal. Everyone learned how to identify restored elements in construction and how the design process makes full use of natural resources. Mr Baird s passion in the many projects he was involved in throughout Northern Ireland was infectious and, really helped to give everyone a real awareness for stewardship of their environment. Next month we will have a close protection expert speaking about the ups and downs of being a bodyguard. This will cover various dimensions of managing the safety of VIP s. The talk may also involve demonstration of self-defence techniques. As always, the talk will be followed with an opportunity for questions and fellowship time. Book Club From Norman Meharry If Pointless (BBC TV., most evenings) ever had a round picking the most obscure of the ten commandments, it wouldn t be number six: Thou Shalt Not Kill the least loquacious of the set, with nothing in the way of wriggle room for biblical revisionists. Yet we live that commandment as if we interpret it as: Thou Shall Not Strike the First Blow.

19 No less a mind than Tolstoy s asked where do you turn when your suffering has no other outlet but to violence? And recent history has taught us that nice people do dreadful things for political reasons and often return to being nice people afterwards as unmarked survivors or do they? This is the gist of our group s January book: Wounds by Fergal Keane (2017). The author is that nice man, the BBC correspondent, often reporting from the scenes of war atrocities and here, in this not-quite-a-history book more a retro-memoire, focussing on north Kerry in the years of rebellion and civil war mostly in and around the town of Listowel where his family was and he feels close ties. His family, both close and extended, with a background of clattering skeletons, was riven by the tribalism of nationalist versus republican which led to the civil war after the British withdrew from south of the new border. After Keane s preamble on the injustices and repression leading up to 1916 insurrection and the great what if (had the British not executed the GPO combatants) he gets down to detailing the local characters caught up in the horrors of But the big names are here too Collins and De Valera who thought decently, that to kill your neighbour in the name of nationhood, well -was not ideal but it s for a great ideal. I picked up this uncomfortable book knowing Keane to be a good human being. I finished it feeling no happier. Dev came out on tops and all the blood-letting was for what? A question we still ask. And Dev would be Taoiseach and sign the sympathy book in the German Embassy, Dublin, May 1945, when the world knew of the camps by then and other neutral countries declined to do so. The next meeting for the Book club is on Tuesday 6 th of March at 8.00 p.m. in the Rectory, when we will discuss: The Greenmantle by John Buchan. All warmly welcome!

20 Mothers Union From Angela Kerr A big thank you to all those Parishioners and their friends who so generously provided us with items for the washbags that were donated to the Ulster Hospital. Members of the Mothers Union attended the Holy Communion Service on Wednesday 31 st of January prior to enjoying coffee and scones in the Parlour and then assembling over forty washbags. This outreach of Mothers Union is particularly appreciated as often up to twenty bags are given out in any one day. According to the nursing staff the number of emergency patients admitted grows on a daily basis. One of the members also donated a selection of children s knitwear these items being delivered to one of the shelters. Our Curate, Chris, shared his Journey of Faith with us at our February meeting. The amount of preparation for this was much appreciated. Chris has popped into quite a few of our meetings and can always be assured of a warm welcome! On Saturday 10 th of March members will meet in the Parlour at a.m. to prepare rosebud gifts for Mothering Sunday. Our speaker on Wednesday 21 st of March will be Arnold Gardiner who will share his love of painting with us. The Diocesan Festival Service will take place in St Mark s on Monday 9 th of April. The expected attendance at this Service will be about two hundred and fifty. Following the Service supper will be provided by members and other Parishioners.

21 Evergreens From Lorna Symmons and Joan Eakin We were delighted to have our Curate Chris St John join us last month. Chris is a man of many talents and it was his guitar skills we had the pleasure of hearing. We had a sing-a-long and enjoyed a few musical clips from well-known films. A huge Thank you to him for putting so much effort into entertaining us. On March 14 th, p.m., we will be having a Bring and Buy Sale. If you have any items in good condition that someone else may find useful or enjoy, please bring them along. Looking forward to seeing you.

22 St Mark s Parishioners on Tour In January we visited Belfast City Hall Following a coffee break in Bobbin s Restaurant our group was taken by a guide on a tour of the main areas of the City Hall including a visit to the Council Chamber. Mr Tom Haire, until recently High Sheriff had organised our visit and we are greatly indebted to him. It was a pleasure to have some new faces amongst the group. As this issue of The Lion is being printed a tour of Bangor Abbey followed by a visit to the Heritage Centre will have taken place. A report will be in the April issue. The next planned tour is on Thursday 22 nd of March travelling by train to the City of Lisburn to see the new exhibition entitled Reformation 500 as well as a short-guided tour round the Museum. We will enjoy a break in one of the many coffee shops nearby.

23 St Mark s Archives 100 YEARS AGO As we look forward to the Easter General Vestry 2018, parish life was very different one hundred years ago when the Rector, Revd Arthur W Barton, addressed the Easter Vestry of St Mark s Dundela: 5 th of April 1918 GENTLEMEN- In addressing you who are met together as the representatives of this Parish, I wish to turn your thoughts chiefly to certain possibilities in the future. But some reference is due to the year which is past. It has been an exceptionally sad and trying period. Foremost in our thoughts must be the losses which we have sustained. Since our last Easter Vestry meeting ten of those names that are on our Roll of Honour have laid down their lives for King and country. They have passed to other work, but their memories and influence will long remain with us. If our reference to them is brief and unadorned it is because our hearts are sore, and because, at the present moment, so many of us are feeling a special strain of anxiety and uncertainty. When thinking of the men who are bearing the burden and heat of the day we must not forget the increasing number of women who are sharing this burden. From this Parish we have contributed many of our best workers to the various branches of war work. For example, a large proportion of our Sunday School staff has changed during the past three years, chiefly owing to this cause. In almost every branch of parochial activity similar difficulties have been met with owing to war conditions, but we have been able to carry on in readiness for brighter days, which we hope and pray are not far distant. But we rejoice that, as a Parish, we have borne our share in the national burden. If Revd Barton was here now, then surely, he would say that his wait for brighter days was over, and we should be grateful to our fellow parishioners of old for this. How will we be viewed one hundred years from now?

24 Father, again in Jesus name we meet From Billy Adair From the four Gospels do you have a favourite? Mark was the first to be written and is the shortest: Matthew was principally intended for the Jews: John contains the deepest theology: Luke has been called the best life of Christ ever written. Luke is my favourite. Among the other writers Luke stands apart. He was cultured and well educated, a doctor by profession, a skilled painter, an historian, and an attractive story teller. Luke was not a Jew, and is unique in that he was the only Gentile to write in the New Testament and not once, but twice! His Gospel has been called the loveliest book in the world. In chapter fifteen of his Gospel Luke records three stories told by Jesus, which are really parables the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son. All three stories end happily ever after. The third one is known as The Prodigal Son, but the central and most important figure is the father, not the son, and a more appropriate title would be The forgiving Father. This was the inspiration for the hymn we are about to look at. In 1824 Orlando, 1 st Earl of Bradford published a book Family Prayers for Every Day in the Week, which contained fourteen original hymns One of these began Father, again in Jesus name we meet, (No 329 in Church Hymnal 5), and it was written by the Earl s only daughter Lady Lucy Elizabeth Georgina Whitmore ( ). It now appears in only two Anglican Hymnals, The Anglican Hymn Book and Church Hymnal 5. It has been included in all five editions. In Church Hymnal 1 and 2 it was set to Eventide which we sing to Abide with me, but Church Hymnal 3 used the Old 124 th Psalm tune, and this vast improvement has been followed ever since.

25 Here is the hymn: 1 Father, again in Jesus' name we meet, And bow in penitence beneath Thy feet, Again to Thee our feeble voices raise, To sue for mercy, and to sing Thy praise. To sue for mercy, and to sing Thy praise. 2 O we would bless Thee for Thy ceaseless care, And all Thy works from day to day declare; Is not our life with hourly mercies crowned? Does not Thine arm encircle us around? Does not Thine arm encircle us around? Reflecting on the parable of the Lost Son this is a hymn for the penitent sinner seeking a Father s mercy. God s ceaseless care is acknowledged, reminding us of the phrase from the General Thanksgiving, We bless Thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life, and the answer to the two questions in lines three and four is certainly Yes. 3 Alas! unworthy of Thy boundless love, With careless feet from Thee we rove; But now, encouraged by Thy voice, we come Returning sinners, to a Father's home. Returning sinners, to a Father's home. This reflects the son in the parable we are thinking about. A young man eager to experience life and with money in his pocket chose the wrong road, and ended up feeding pigs. In life he is by no means alone. But the Authorised Version tells us when he came to himself, he realised his foolishness, and knew in his heart that back home he had a forgiving father. Isn t that just what this verse is reminding us of, and there are times when even we are not immune.

26 4 O by that Name in which all fullness dwells, O by that Love which every love excels, O by that Blood so freely shed for sin, Open blest mercy's gate, and take us in. Open blest mercy's gate, and take us in. In the parable the boy went home, welcomed by a waiting and forgiving father. Christ is the man who stands at the gate of the year and if we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness A lovely hymn, but what a Saviour!

27 Faure Requiem Come and Sing This year the Ulster Society of Organists and Choirmasters is celebrating the Centenary of its founding. As part of the celebrations they have joined forces with The Royal School of Church Music (Ireland Area) to run a free 'Come and Sing' performance of the Faure Requiem. Thanks to the kind permission of the Rector and the Select Vestry of St Mark, this will be held in the Church on Saturday 24 th of March 2018 with refreshments served in the Heyn Hall. This event will be conducted by Mr Ian Keatley, Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. Rehearsal will begin at 2.00 p.m., with a break at 3.30 p.m., and then a performance at 4.00 p.m. Parishioners and friends are most welcome to attend at any point. Come and watch the fascinating process of putting a choral work together! We will have participants from several choirs and possibly visitors from Dublin. If you would like to join in the singing, please contact: Jacqui Dickinson awards@rscmireland.com

28 Parish Chef From Angela Kerr Parish life seems to get busier and busier especially when various treats are required. This month the emphasis is therefore on sweet treats! Lemon Simnel treats 500g packet of golden marzipan 150g light muscovado sugar 150g of butter (softened a little) 2 large eggs 150g Self Raising Flour 125g mixed fruit 2 lemons (juice of 2 and zest from 1) 2 tablespoons apricot jam icing sugar to dust Place 12 cup cake cases in muffin baking tin. Weigh 80g of the marzipan and cut it into 12 pieces. Beat sugar and butter together. Add eggs one at a time. Fold in flour, mixed fruit, lemon juice and half the zest. Add a spoon full to each case. Place one of the small pieces of marzipan on top and then another spoonful of the mixture. Bake minutes at 180 deg C 160 deg C fan or gas 4. Cool on rack. Sprinkle a little icing sugar on a board and roll out the remaining 420g marzipan. Cut out small rounds with a 6cm cutter. Keep the left-over marzipan. To decorate remove the cupcake cases. Brush with a little apricot jam and then place the marzipan circles on top. Shape the remaining marzipan into balls and put one on the centre of each. Place on a baking tray and put under hot grill until marzipan is lightly browned. The remainder of the lemon zest may be put on top (optional).

29 Millionaires chocolate shortbread for Easter For the Shortbread For the chocolate topping 175g plain flour, sifted 200g dark chocolate 150g salted butter 40g butter 50g caster sugar For the caramel 100g caster sugar 1/2 tsp salt 40ml water 50g salted butter 70ml double cream small packet of Cadbury s mini eggs crushed METHOD Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Line a 20cm x 24cm baking tray with parchment paper. For the shortbread: Cream butter and sugar. Add flour with a knife, press into tray and bake for minutes or until golden-brown and crisp, then remove from the oven and set aside to cool. For the caramel: place the sugar and salt into a heavy-based pan with the water. Gently heat until the sugar has dissolved, then stir in the butter. Increase the heat and cook until the mixture begins to bubble and turns a light toffee-brown colour. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream (be careful as the mixture may spit) until smooth. Once the shortbread is completely cooled, pour the salted caramel over and chill in the fridge until set. For the chocolate: place the chocolate and butter into a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water (do not allow the base of the bowl to touch the water). Heat until the chocolate melts, stirring to mix the butter into the chocolate. Set aside to cool. Once the chocolate is quite cool, pour over the caramel base and sprinkle with the crushed mini eggs. Place back into the fridge to chill until the chocolate has set. Cut in squares.

30 Colouring Page PALM SUNDAY

31 Parish Organisations and Representatives (in alphabetical order) Bell Ringers as arranged Mrs Gill Alp, T: Book Club 1 st Tuesday 8.00 p.m. Revd Helene T. Steed T: Brownies (ages 7-10) Monday p.m. Miss Heather McKaig, T: Choir Thursday p.m. Contact the Parish office T: Christian Aid Mrs Yvonne McMaster, T: Church of Ireland Gazette Mr Peter Moore, T: CMS(Ireland) Mrs Lynn Wilson, T: Crèche Dr Sarah Bass, Tel: Mrs Emma Dale, Tel: Creative Stitching Group 2 nd & 4 th Tuesday, 7.30 p.m. Mrs Ann Clark, T: Evergreens Club 2 nd Wednesday, 2.30 p.m. Mrs Joan Eakin, T: and Mrs Lorna Symmons, T: Flower Guild Mrs Johann Henderson, T: Mrs Hannah Nelson, T: Guides Monday, p.m. Miss Lois Kennedy, Parish Office T: Men s Group 2 nd Tuesday, 7.30 p.m. Revd Chris St John, T: Mothers Union 3 rd Wednesday 8.00 p.m. Enrolling Member: Mrs Pauline Scott, T: Mums and Chums Wednesday a.m. Contact Parish Office, T: (Parents and toddlers group) Music Group 1 st Sunday a.m. Dr Sarah Bass, Tel: rd Sunday 9.30 a.m. Rainbows (ages 4-7) Monday p.m. Mrs Heather Ellison, T: Scottish Dancing Thursday as arranged Mr John Campbell, T: Study Group 2 nd and 4 th Wednesday Revd Helene T. Steed T: p.m. St Mark's Players Wednesdays as arranged Mrs Eileen Anghel, T: Walking Group Saturdays as arranged Mrs Lynn Wilson, T: Sunday School Parish Office T: Youth Fellowship 2 nd and 4 th Sunday Dr Sarah Bass, Tel: (age 11-18) p.m. as arranged Mrs Emma Dale, Tel: SUNDAYS WEDNESDAYS 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (every Sunday) a.m. Holy Communion 7.30 p.m. Late Evening Office and Prayers for the Sick 9.30 a.m. Contemporary Service in the Heyn Hall (no service on Family service Sundays) a.m. Family Service (1 st Sunday) Parish Communion (3 rd Sunday) Morning Prayer (2 nd, 4 th and5 th Sundays) 6.30 p.m. Holy Communion & Ministry of Healing (1 st Sunday) Compline (2 nd Sunday) Evensong (3 rd Sunday) Evening Service led by the Youth Fellowship (4 th Sunday) BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE CLERGY Holy Baptism Wedding Visitation of the Sick at Home or in Hospital Home Communion Spiritual Direction Christian Burials

32 Tickets 12 Available from St Mark s Parish Office